//
Asia · Western AsiaOutline guideCountry in West Asia
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yemen (Arabic: ٱلْيَمَن) is a country in the southern Arabian Peninsula of the Middle East. Although it is rich in history and culture, being part of several civilizations, the country has been in a state of flux since the 1980s. It is one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Yemen.
Mobile networks
Tap water should be avoided.
Health care facilities are seriously underdeveloped in Yemen. If you fall seriously ill during your stay, it is advised that you go to neighbouring Oman or Saudi Arabia.
Yemenis, North Africans, and Arabs in the Gulf share a common culture; therefore, what is considered good manners in the Arab world is applicable to Yemen.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Sana'a is the capital of Yemen, located in the Yemeni Mountains and generally the first destination for travellers to that country. See the Stay safe section of this article and the Yemen country page for important safety advice.
Aden (Arabic: عَدَنْ ʿAdan) is a city in the Yemeni Coastal Plains, on the Gulf of Aden at the southern end of the Red Sea. It is a very picturesque city with a mix of traditional Arabic and British influences.
Al Hudayda (often spelt Al Hodeidah) is a city in Yemen with a population of 402,560 (2004). It is the principal port of Yemen on the Red Sea coast.
Mukalla is in the Yemeni Highlands and is eastern Yemen's biggest city, the gateway to the historical Hadhramaut region. A bustling port, it is well developed by Yemeni standards, with good roads and a reasonably smart waterfront.
Ibb (Arabic: إِبّ,) is a market city of 772,000 people (2023) in the Yemeni Mountains. It is made up of high mountains with luscious green plants, forests, and greenery.
Kawkaban is a small village to the west of Sana'a in the Yemeni Mountains.
Shibam is in the Hadhramaut region of Yemen. The unique, sixteenth century, mud-built, high rise apartment buildings for which the city is famous constitute a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ta'izz is a city in the south of the Yemeni Mountains. It is better developed than most Yemeni cities, with very good roads.
Places in Yemen on the World Heritage List.
Shibam
Listed 1982
Zabid
Listed 1993
Socotra Archipelago
Listed 2008
Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba
Listed 2023
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The dry flat territory along the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
The mountainous region rising steeply from the coastal plain.
The region descending slowly eastwards from the mountains of the west.
The desert, inhabited only by nomads.
Over 100 small islands in the Red Sea, undeveloped and some actively volcanic.
A large island in the Arabian Sea that is a UNESCO world natural heritage site.
Public transport and paid services in Yemen.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Yemen.
Finding apps for Yemen…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sanaa · International · SAH
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Sana'a
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 23° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 27° | 24° | 23° | 22° |
| Avg. low | 6° | 8° | 10° | 13° | 15° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 14° | 9° | 7° | 5° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Humidity | 37% | 33% | 36% | 37% | 31% | 26% | 38% | 41% | 30% | 31% | 38% | 38% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$25
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$55
Per person, per day
Luxury
$140
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10 | $30 | $85 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $10 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $25 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2013). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelin Yemen due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines. Do not travel to Yemen for any reason, including the island of Socotra. The U.S. Embassy in Sana’a suspended its operations in February 2015. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Yemen due to the safety risks. Terrorism The Department of State re-designated Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March of 2025. Other terrorist groups also plan and carry out attacks in Yemen. These include Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State affiliates. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and may target: Public sites Places of worship Transportation hubs Markets Government buildings and facilities There is high risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Yemen. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas. Unrest A civil war continues in Yemen. Yemen faces instability and the Houthis have repeatedly clashed with Yemeni government forces. The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against Yemeni government personnel, as well as civilians and infrastructure across the country since July 2026. The Houthis have also targeted infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb. Do not rely on significant assistance from local authorities. Foreigners are frequently targets of kidnapping and carjacking,…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Yemen FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Yemen due to the unpredictable security conditions. If you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately. See Safety and security for more information. UK government support Support for British people is severely limited in Yemen. British Embassy services in Sana’a are suspended, and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn. The UK government cannot help British nationals leaving Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place. FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point. The UK government’s ability to help with onward travel is severely limited and you’ll be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself. If you choose to remain in Yemen, you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns, monitor developments in the local security situation and follow other precautions in this travel advice. If you’re a British national in Yemen and need help from the UK government, you can call FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). Regional tensions The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the…
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
